Axle.



BATYENTED APR. 18, 19 05,

T. O; WATKINS.

AXLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10, 1904.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

suuenfoz lvd neawo UNITED STATES Patented April 18, 1905. i

PATENT OFFICE.

AXLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent N0. 78 7,597, dated April 18, 1905.

Application filed November 10, 1904. Serial No. 232,249.

To a whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THESTOR O. WATKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hattiesburg, in the county of Perry and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Axles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in axle structures, and provides, mainly, novel means for bracing and trussing the axle, such means being peculiarly mounted and utilized to prevent displacement of the skeins of the axle therefrom.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in

Figure 1 is a perspective view looking toward the under side of an axle embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view showing the axle and the truss-rod only. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view showing an end portion of the axle, the axle-nut removed. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4:, the axlenut, however, being shown in position.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following descriptionand indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The invention relates to the type of axles embodying the usual wooden axletree 1, having the axle-arms 2 at the ends thereof. The arms 2 are provided with axle-skeins 3, the latter being of the structure commonly employed and comprising metal sheetings received by the axle-box of the wheel mounted thereon. The inner portions of the skeins 3 are provided with annular flanges 4 in the usual manner. Each of the arms 2 of the axle is provided with a longitudinal bore 5, which inclines downwardly, extending through the arm to the under side of the axle, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The under side of the axle is grooved between the inner termini of the bores 5, as shown at 6, and a truss-rod 7 is extended through the bores 5 of the axle-arm, said bores receiving the ends of the truss-rod, the central portion of said rod being seated or received in the- -grooved portion 6 above mentioned. The extremities of the truss-rod project beyond theends of the arms 2 and are threaded, as shown in Fig. 3, to receive nuts 9. A collar 10, the peripheral portion of which is threaded, is mounted between the nuts 9 at each end of the truss-rod and the end of the adjacent arm 2 of the axle. Each collar 10 is clamped in the position above describednamely, abut-.

ting against the adjacent end of the arm 2 by the nuts 9, these nuts at the same time serving to secure the truss-rod 7 from displacement and to rigidly position the same so that it may effectively reinforce and strengthen the body of the axle. The skeins 3 are prevented from displacement by suitable means securing the same to the body of the axle, bolts or like devices being employed for this purpose. Axle -nuts 11 are adapted to be screwed upon the threaded portions of the collars 10, said nuts cooperating to prevent displacement of the skeins, as well as to hold the wheels in proper position thereon. The nuts 11 are of the usual type employed for the purpose, having annular flanges engaging the axle-boxes of the wheels when the nuts are in position. The nuts 9, which are screwed upon the ends ofthe truss-rod 7, are smaller than the bores of the nuts 11, and therefore admit of removal of the axle-skeins and wheels without unscrewing said nuts 9.

An axle structure as hereinbefore described consists of comparatively few parts, which are arranged so as to admit of ready displacement or replacement with expedition, which is of no small advantage in this class of devices.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- In axle structure, the combination of an axletree having its arms provided with longitudinal bores inclined toward and leading the collars or rings aforesaid to prevent displacement thereof, a skein mounted u pon each axle-arm, and an axle-nut screwed upon the collar or ring at each end of the axletree and cooperating with the skein to prevent displacement thereof.

In testimony whereofI aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THESTOR O. WATKINS.

i Witnesses:

B. F. MOSELEY, M. J. EPLEYL 

